Nuclear Matters issued a statement on Wednesday praising the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s (NRC) decision to extend the license of the Davis-Besse Nuclear Power Station in Oak Harbor, Ohio, by 20 years.

The Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI) said the facility generates approximately $1.1 billion per year on average in economic activity in Ohio, with approximately $30 billion expected to be generated by the plant through its extended operational lifespan, which now runs to 2037.

“This is extremely welcome news for Ohio,” the Nuclear Matters statement said. “Davis-Besse, like other existing nuclear plants across the country, provides a steady stream of reliable, carbon-free electricity that is critical to the state’s energy mix. In fact, Ohio’s nuclear plants, including Davis-Besse, produce 12.1 percent of the state’s electricity, but account for 91 percent of its carbon-free generation. Especially at a time when we are working toward reducing carbon emissions, keeping our existing nuclear plants – like Davis-Besse – open and operating for the duration of their useful lifespan is a common-sense part of the solution, as was noted during a discussion at the Davis-Besse plant this past February.”

The NRC said in its announcement of the renewal that the Davis-Besse facility is the 81st facility operating in the U.S. with an extended license. Currently, there are 13 renewal applications pending with the agency.

Nuclear Matters is an advocacy group for the U.S. nuclear power industry.